Grief & Loss

Grief is the emotional response to any kind of loss. It can follow the death of a loved one or a divorce, but also the loss of a job, a pet, financial stability, or a sense of safety after trauma. Grief can feel overwhelming, and it is hard to know how to carry it. Be patient with yourself and with others through this process, because grieving is a healthy part of healing. If coping on your own feels like too much, a counselor can walk with you.

There is no tidy, orderly march through stages of anger, denial, and acceptance. Everyone experiences loss differently, shaped by personality, culture, faith, and many other factors.

Common symptoms of grief include:

• Shock and disbelief: feeling numb, struggling to believe it happened, or half expecting to see the person you lost.
• Sadness: crying, emptiness, despair, yearning, or loneliness.
• Guilt: regret over things left unsaid or undone, or shame over any relief you feel.
• Anger: blaming someone, or God, for the injustice of it.
• Fear: anxiety, helplessness, insecurity, or panic attacks.
• Physical symptoms: fatigue, nausea, changes in weight, aches and pains, and insomnia.

Coping with grief and loss

An important part of healing is knowing you are not alone. Lean on friends, family, and your faith, or join a bereavement support group. Sharing your loss can make the grieving easier. Take care of your body too: eat, sleep, and move even when stress and fatigue make it hard. Working with a counselor gives you a safe place to move through the most intense emotions.

Through counseling you may improve your coping skills, ease feelings of blame and guilt, and explore and process what you feel. Consider reaching out for support if grief does not ease over time.